Negroponte Sees Slow N. Korea Image Change

Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte says removing North Korea from the U.S. terrorist list is not a process we would expect to move very quickly.

It will take time, the former deputy of national intelligence told a Tokyo news conference.

For one thing, North Korea would have to begin steps agreed to last month at the six-party talks on nuclear disarmament in Beijing, he said. North Korea agreed to shelve its nuclear program for economic aid and security guarantees.

Negroponte met with several Japanese officials Friday to discuss an array of issues, including North Korea’s nuclear program and the abduction of Japanese nationals.